Ex-Tiger Booker says McDaniels has NBA qualities
Count former Clemson basketball star Trevor Booker among those who weren’t surprised Tuesday when K.J. McDaniels revealed he would forgo his senior season with the Tigers to pursue a pro career.
“K.J. had a great season and led Clemson on a deep run in the NIT,” Booker said. “I think where he is projected in the first round gives him leverage to work hard this summer and make it possible for him to move up his draft stock.
“You also have to consider the chance of an injury next season, so he has to do what’s best for him and his family. He has done great things for the basketball program at Clemson.”
Booker, whose Washington Wizards took a 1-0 lead over the Chicago Bulls into Tuesday night’s second game of their Eastern Conference playoff series, said before the game that defense will be where McDaniels will hang his NBA hat, at least early in his career.
Booker should know; the 6-foot-8 power forward from Whitmire was selected to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive team in 2009.
The 6-6 McDaniels followed suit this year, becoming the first Clemson player since Booker to earn that recognition.
“He is already a great defensive player, and that will translate very well to the next level,” Booker said. “Teams need a hard-nosed defender who can come in and lock down the other team’s best perimeter offensive player. You can’t teach heart, and K.J. has a lot of that.”
Booker compared McDaniels’ skill set to that of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a former standout at Kentucky who turned pro after his freshman season. The 6-7 Gilchrist is in his second season with the Charlotte Bobcats and earned All-Rookie second-team honors last year.
McDaniels “has to continue to improve his perimeter game so he becomes a threat offensively in the NBA," said Booker, who will conduct a youth basketball camp at the Mauldin Sports Center June 9-13. “He has great size, but the goal is longevity in this business, so my advice is to just keep working. I wish him the best and send my support.”